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The Miniature Schnauzer is a German terrier breed that very much resembles the original Standard Schnauzer. They feature a distinct beard, bushy eyebrows and wiry salt and pepper, black and silver or solid black coat – but unlike their larger cousin they are highly sought after within the United States and consistently rank as one of the most popular of all breeds among active singles, seniors and families alike.

Origins Of The Miniature Schnauzer

The Miniature Schnauzer is known to have come from Germany during the late 1800s shortly after the Standard Schnauzer was recognized and their smaller size made them much more suitable for the task of catching rats around the house or barn. They are alleged to be a consequence of crossing the original Standard Schnauzer with smaller breeds like the Affenpinscher and the Poodle. After their introduction they quickly became the most popular of all three Schnauzer breeds.

Average Size Of The Miniature Schnauzer

Miniature Schnauzers are classed as a small-sized breed of dog. The recommended standard size for the Miniature Schnauzer male and female is 12-14 inches tall from paw to shoulder and a weight of 13-20 pounds.

Temperament Of The Miniature Schnauzer

The Miniature Schnauzer is recognized for their alert, spirited, playful and sometimes stubborn character. They are characteristically friendlier with visitors than their larger counterpart, which can make them unsuitable as a guard dog.

The Miniature Schnauzer is also demonstrated to be extremely intelligent – scoring 12th compared to other dogs when taking into account their ability to be taught obedience commands.

They are well-known to be good with kids – making them quite suitable as a family pet. The Miniature Schnauzer is usually well-matched with other dogs when they’re properly socialized at an early age.

Living Requirements Of The Miniature Schnauzer

The Miniature Schnauzer doesn’t always need a yard to give them room to run, so they can be quite suitable for life in an apartment so long as they are exercised enough.

Health & Life Expectancy Of The Miniature Schnauzer

In the vein of a lot of small-sized dogs, the Miniature Schnauzer is usually long-lived with a life expectancy of 12-14 years or more. The major health problem for Miniature Schnauzers is generally known to be eye problems like cataracts or Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA). They are also vulnerable to conditions that include liver diseases, diabetes, pancreatitis, allergic reactions to vaccines, skin disorders, Von Willebrand’s disease, heart murmurs, urinary infections, Cushing’s disease and obesity – so careful feeding is essential.

Exercise Needs Of The Miniature Schnauzer

The Miniature Schnauzer benefits from hobbies which include playing games of fetch or running around in a safe area. They possess a moderately high amount of energy and this calls for exercise every day in the form of short walks to prevent excessive weight gain as well as destructive behavior that might result from boredom.